115 Spring Breeze

◎Huo Qubing: I can finally go out.◎

Winters in Chang'an were known for their harshness. The north wind, swirling with snow, whipped pedestrians' cheeks like invisible whips, scraping painfully against exposed skin. The sky and earth were a chaotic gray-white. The towering eaves and brackets of the wealthy residences were covered in a blanket of snow, while the low adobe huts in the alleys creaked under the weight of the accumulated snow.

The weather was as cold as ever, yet for the ordinary people of the streets and alleys, this harsh winter brought a sense of peace rarely seen in previous years. Though the wind still bit hard, many families had quietly hung freshly cured meats on their door lintels, their windows tightly sealed to block out the wind and snow outside. Children, for once, wore thick, new quilted jackets. While not made of silk or satin, they were finely stitched and cleanly starched, providing ample protection from the biting cold. In their ceramic jars, besides winter rations, they carefully stored plump grains, a symbol of hope for the coming spring.

For daily meals, in addition to the usual millet rice and pea soup on the rough lacquer plate, you could occasionally see a small dish of black kelp soaked in warm water, exuding the salty smell of the sea.

Or they would warm up two taels of light wine. As the New Year was approaching, the wine steward would add some extra dregs with the aroma of wine when making the wine, just enough to add some warmth and something to chew for the poor family.

Even more remarkable was the sight of the elderly, widows, and the infirm, who usually huddled in their leaky, dilapidated huts, having had their thatched roofs renovated and covered with thick straw mats by a group of nimble, short-sleeved young men. These men would occasionally tread through knee-deep snow to inspect the roofs, carefully using long poles to poke away the excess snow from the eaves, fearing it would collapse the hard-won shelters.

This winter is not as difficult as previous years.

"I just hope for good weather and good harvests next year," an old man with white hair and beard squatted under the eaves of his renovated house, squinting at the falling snow, his rough fingers unconsciously rubbing a few plump millet seeds. "After paying taxes to the court, there will be some left in the granary, so that my children at home can have a few more full meals, and even a piece of flowered cloth."

In those turbid eyes, there was the light of snow, as well as a faint light called "hope".

Things will get better day by day.

In the inner courtyard of the Huo Mansion, the trees in the house were covered with thick white snow, with only a few pine and cypress trees remaining evergreen.

Huo Qubing was wrapped in a dark fox fur coat, its collar trimmed with silver-gray fur. His features, already slightly thinner from long illness, looked even more stern. He stood alone in the corridor, letting the fine snowflakes silently fall on the fur, piling up a thin layer of white. He slowly reached out, his slender fingers catching a few glistening flakes, watching them quickly melt into cool water in his palm. His eyes were somewhat vacant, as if he had passed through the snowy veil of Chang'an and returned to the frozen grasslands of Mobei, to the heroic spirit of fire igniting half the sky.

A cold wind swept through the courtyard, picking up the snow on the pine branches and making it fall down.

"It's snowing again," he whispered, his voice barely audible. Then, his brow furrowed slightly, he turned to the housekeeper standing by with his hands draped over his shoulders, a worried look on his face. "Has Ah Yan returned yet? The snow is getting heavier, and I'm afraid the roads will soon freeze."

The housekeeper quickly bowed, his tone respectful yet cautious, "Reporting to the Lord, the Lord has just sent a courier back with a message saying that the snow is quite heavy today and that the court affairs must be discussed in detail, so he may not be able to return home until later. He has specifically instructed me to tell the Lord that there is no need to wait for him."

Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing did not say anything, but his sharp eyes were cast at the sky outside the mansion gate, which was confused by the wind and snow. It seemed as if the snow would never end.

He gathered the collar of his fox fur coat, his fingertips turning slightly white from the cold. The snow in the courtyard was deep, a vast expanse of white. Only the path leading to the gate had been hastily swept by servants, but it was soon covered with fresh snow.

"Prepare the car." The voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable determination.

Upon hearing this, the housekeeper's face turned pale instantly, and he almost knelt down, pleading in his voice, "Lord! You absolutely cannot do this! The master gave strict orders before he left. You have just recovered from your injuries and your strength has not yet recovered. You must not go out in this freezing weather! I... I simply cannot bear this! If the master punishes me..."

Huo Qubing looked at the apprehensive housekeeper before him, then recalled the unquestionable house arrest order Huo Yanlin had issued before leaving. Even though he knew Ah Yan was doing it for his own good, a sense of restraint suddenly welled up within him. He had long held a high position and disliked restraint. This injury felt like an invisible yoke to him, his lips pursed tightly, his jawline tense.

"Prepare the car!" He emphasized.

The air in the corridor seemed to freeze.

The housekeeper shuddered, meeting Huo Qubing's unyielding gaze. All his words of dissuasion died in his throat. He knew the young prince's temper well, and even more so, how powerful he could be when angry. He could only grimace, repeatedly nodding in agreement, and then hurriedly ordered, "Quick! Prepare the carriage! Cover the carriage with several layers of thick felt and fill it with hot water bottles! Make sure it's covered tightly! Wrap the wheels with straw ropes!"

While giving orders, he complained in his heart, hoping that Huo Yan would not lose his temper and make him angry.

They are all ancestors with bad tempers.

At this time, in the Ministry of Agriculture's Office on the west side of the Weiyang Palace, several huge bronze charcoal basins were burning red, and the charcoal fire was crackling. This year's snow fell quickly and heavily. For several days in a row, the snow was three feet deep.

Fortunately, Huo Yan had anticipated this a few days earlier, fearing that the freezing weather would bury the crops the people hadn't harvested in time, and he had dispatched personnel to urge a rush to harvest. This ultimately minimized the losses. This allowed him to focus fully on the most crucial end-of-year task: finalizing the draft budget for the coming year.

Then there was a quarrel in the Ministry of Agriculture!

There’s no way around it, we have to argue about the first draft of the budget every year at this time!

Grand Minister of Agriculture Sang Hongyang meant to follow the old practices of previous years, but this year there was snow and the court was not going to war, so Huo Yan was afraid that the harvests in various places would be poor. He wanted to reduce taxes in some severely affected areas.

The imperial court collects taxes several times a year. Some areas are bitterly cold, unsuitable for growing crops, and life is extremely difficult. This year's snow is so heavy, the upper echelons are taking more, and the lower echelons are being greedy. This is simply forcing people to death!

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, Sang Hongyang, sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, his fingers drumming hard on the pile of bamboo slips on the desk.

"I told you, this year's budget will follow the same old practices as in previous years! Every expense of every department and county must be clearly accounted for! The treasury is now empty, so how can we just cut corners?"

The national treasury was completely depleted by the war, and he wished he could break every copper coin into two and spend it. His sparse hair was covered with sweat in the reflection of the charcoal fire.

Huo Yan stood across from him, rubbing his brow lightly. His face looked pale from days of toil and arguments. "Lord Sang! The snow is quite widespread this year. If it continues for a few more days, harvests in many areas will be ruined! Those border counties, already suffering from the bitter cold and poverty, have infertile land and meager yields. Taxes in previous years have been barely enough to sustain them! If we continue to collect taxes according to normal practice, with the higher-ups withholding some, and the clerks even more greedy, the layers of exploitation will be tantamount to forcing the people to death!"

His voice was clear. He coughed twice, drank some warm water, and then said, "Now that the country is at peace, it's time to support the people, not to amass wealth! How about reducing taxes in some areas?"

"No money! No money! The country needs money every moment!"

Sang Hongyang practically leaped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, waving the bamboo slips in his hand. "Every time you open your mouth, you're talking about tax cuts and exemptions, and every time you close your mouth, you're talking about relief! Ah Yan, you're in charge of government all year round, and the court needs money everywhere! Northern Army food and wages, official salaries, palace repairs, canal dredging... Where can we save money? There are only rats left in the treasury!" He was so excited that his saliva flew. "With you running the household like this, I'll just close the Ministry of Agriculture and distribute the money and grain directly to those lowly people!"

"After years of fighting, our blood and sweat have been taken from the people! Now that the Xiongnu has been pacified, it's time for the people to rest!" Huo Yan refused to back down. He pushed aside the desk, stepped forward, and raised his voice, shaking the bamboo slips on the desk. "If this snow continues for another ten days, freezing people and animals to death and provoking a civil uprising, you and I will be the ones to die! Then it won't be a matter of money! It's about uniting as one to fight this natural disaster!"

"Fighting the natural disaster together? How can we fight it? With our mouths? Where's the money?!"

Sang Hongyang slammed the table and stood up, and the pen holder on the table jumped.

"The money is in our hands! You just won't spend a bit for the people!"

Huo Yan responded sharply, his finger almost touching the tip of Sang Hongyang's nose.

The two men roared, their voices rising higher and higher, sleeves rolled up, their roars nearly blowing the roof off the Grand Minister of Agriculture's office. The other officials were hushed in fear, forced into two factions. Verbal sparring and spit flew, desks were slammed, and bamboo slips were scattered all over the floor. The charcoal fire made everyone's faces flush red.

If Zhao Guo had not held Huo Yan's arm tightly, and if several of Sang Hongyang's confidants had not tried their best to stop their superior, there would have been a fight in the Ministry of Agriculture today.

Officials of the Han Dynasty have always been full of martial virtues.

When the argument reached its most intense point, Huo Yan felt a surge of anger rushing to his head. Looking at Sang Hongyang's "miser" face, he suddenly grabbed a silver-gray fox fur handcuff on the table that was soft to the touch, and without thinking, smashed it towards Sang Hongyang's increasingly shiny head. "Damn it! Sang Hongyang! Can't you see that now is the time to recuperate and use the country's strength to feed the people! Now it's the country's turn to use the knife to squeeze the fat from those powerful families and pay for the people! Instead of using the money for the people, you're going to hoard it in your warehouse to give birth to pups?! Did you die of poverty in your previous life?"

Sang Hongyang was stunned by the muff, and felt a dull pain in his head. Then he was furious. He grabbed his thick mink fur coat and threw it at Huo Yan, shouting, "Huo Yan! You're a spendthrift! If you don't save some money, if there's another natural disaster or man-made disaster next year, or if His Majesty suddenly decides to send troops or renovate the palace, you and I, along with everyone in this office, will all be sent to the Imperial Court together!"

"Just go! I'm not afraid of you!"

Huo Yan hurriedly tore off the sable fur covering his head while cursing back with gritted teeth. In the process, he overturned the inkstone on the table, and the ink splashed all over the bamboo slips, making a mess.

"Are you going to surrender or not?"

"No surrender!"

The two roared loudly.

Just as the earth was shaking, a shrill, trembling voice came from outside the door, "My Lords, His Majesty has issued an order!"

The quarreling stopped abruptly. The eunuch who came to announce the imperial decree saw the mess in the office, the two superiors in dishevel, Huo Yan's hair crown slightly tilted, and Sang Hongyang's head red.

The two men glared at each other, then fixed their gaze on the eunuch. The eunuch's legs were cramped with fear, and he was caught in a dilemma, holding the silk book. Zhao Guo was quick-witted and tugged at Huo Yan, while Sang Hongyang's trusted aides also hurried to support their lord. The Ministry of Agriculture was able to maintain some semblance of dignity, and everyone hurriedly straightened their clothes and knelt to receive the decree.

After receiving the order, both of them behaved themselves.

The content of the decree was like another basin of ice water poured over the two men's heads, chilling them to the core.

Marquis Huo Qubing and General Wei Qing jointly reported that snow had fallen in Chang'an today, and both the Marquis and the General stated that the Xiongnu would be even colder. They feared they might ally with certain states in the Western Regions and take a desperate, desperate gamble. If mishandled, widespread suffering would be the result. To prevent further harm and deter rogue forces, the defenses of the northern border and Hexi region must be strengthened immediately, with additional elite troops and a stockpile of food and ammunition. In short, significant additional and urgent military expenditures are needed.

Huo Yan felt his vision go dark after hearing the decree. He scribbled his hands across his face, as if trying to wipe away the exhaustion and irritation, leaving his fingers stained with wet ink. Sang Hongyang, in a state of despair, tried to tackle the case with his head, but was fortunately restrained by a trusted aide. He only hit the cushions, uttering a muffled whimper. He instantly looked ten years older, slumped down on the table.

"Ah Yan..." Sang Hongyang's voice was weak, like a piece of dead skin that had been squeezed dry of moisture. Combined with his increasingly sparse hair, it was a voice of humbleness and despair. "You've spent a lot of money there, so there's definitely not enough. The taxes won't arrive for another three months, so I really only have a little bit of money left to hold onto."

He slapped the empty account book with a look of despair.

"Inner Court, we can't touch each other."

Huo Yan felt like his soul was about to float out of his mouth. He had to provide disaster relief here, raise troops there, and spend money in the early stages of the salt and iron industry. The money he earned was not enough to spend, and the country was so poor that he had to pawn his pants.

He leaned weakly against the cold wall and took a few deep breaths of the air that smelled of charcoal and ink.

Outside the window, the wind and snow are still raging.

The entire Ministry of Agriculture was filled with a faint sense of death.

There are only two things that can keep a country stable: money and soldiers.

The Han Dynasty had many soldiers but little money, and all the money was used to fight the Huns.

Now the Huns are gone, and so is the money.

Two people paralyzed a group of people.

There is no way. The earliest tax payment will take about two months to arrive, and now only Jiaodong has taxes on salt and iron.

Sang Hongyang sighed and said, "The only solution now is to increase taxes."

The court is also having a hard time, and the people are suffering. We still have to live.

Huo Yan stared at him, "Wait a moment!"

Suddenly, he straightened his back and a hint of ruthlessness flashed across his eyes.

"Godfather, if you agree to reduce taxes for disaster relief, I'll immediately find someone to confiscate your property!"

His expression was terrifyingly gloomy, like a ferocious beast choosing its prey. He spoke each word with great emphasis, "While the snow is still here, I'll raid his family's wealthy home. The money and food I'll get will be enough to cover our military needs, and it'll also silence your complaints of poverty! If raiding one family isn't enough, I'll raid for a whole month! I'll raid until I have enough! I'll see who will starve to death!"

Sang Hongyang was so frightened by the naked murderous intent and greed in Huo Yan's eyes that he stopped sighing.

Then the two looked at each other.

In the deathly silence, only the crackling of the charcoal fire could be heard. A certain unspoken understanding, a tacit understanding between the "ministers of wealth accumulation," strangely emerged in the midst of despair. A smile, a mixture of cruelty and greed, crept onto the corners of their mouths simultaneously.

"Alright!" Sang Hongyang slapped his thigh, his eyes gleaming like a drowning man grabbing a floating log. "That's it! Someone, quickly invite the Minister of Justice Zhang Tang to the mansion to discuss this matter!"

When Zhang Tang heard that they were inviting him, he happened to have something important to discuss with Huo Yan, so he did not dare to delay and immediately rushed over in a carriage that was open to the wind on all sides, braving the heavy snow.

A layer of snow quickly accumulated on the carriage curtains, and the horses pulling the carriage were emitting thick white steam. As soon as he stepped into the office, the warmth that hit him made him shiver.

Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang were now on much better terms. They were working on a budget together and no longer arguing. Hearing that Zhang Tang was coming, he put down his paperwork.

"Please come in,"

Huo Yan stood up and pulled Sang Hongyang up, helping him to go out to meet the guests.

Sang Hongyang turned to the shrewd officials who had been arguing the most fiercely but were now stunned, and grinned, "Don't just stand there! Hurry and follow! Follow Zhang Tingwei and his embroidered envoys later. Bring the abacus and bamboo slips with you. What you copy today will be our life-saving money!"

As Zhang Tang entered, he sensed an unusual atmosphere. Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang, two busy men, were waiting for him. They stood side by side, warming themselves by the largest charcoal brazier, their faces etched with strange, excited smiles. The entire office was filled with a tense and excited atmosphere.

"Master Zhang, you've arrived just in time! The wind and snow are so strong, it's really hard work!"

Huo Yan immediately stepped forward upon seeing him enter, personally brushing the snow off his shoulders. His movements were swift and his face was filled with eagerness, yet a hint of anxiety could not be concealed. "I heard the decree to revoke the wealth has been issued for quite some time, and word has spread, yet you're still holding back. What trouble have you run into?"

"After all, we're just waiting for the money you'll get from confiscating the property to make our plans!"

He spoke quickly, his eyes burning.

Zhang Tang didn't respond immediately, but simply signaled to a clerk behind him, also covered in snow, carrying a heavy wooden box. The clerk understood, placed the box on the ground, and opened it. Inside was a mountain of neatly stacked bamboo slips, account books, deeds, and silk scrolls.

"Marquis Tai'an, Lord Sang,"

Zhang Tang's voice remained flat, yet a subtle hint of satisfaction lingered. He rubbed his frozen hands and leaned over the charcoal basin. "These are irrefutable evidence, verified by the Embroidered Uniform Envoys over the past two months since the implementation of the "Report on the Mint" Order. It shows that dozens of powerful families have concealed their land, businesses, and other valuables. All we need is for you two to send capable personnel to accompany our officials to conduct an inventory and accounting, and then we can confiscate them according to the law."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang's instantly lit faces, "I wonder if you two are willing to help me with this."

This is like a sleepy head meeting a pillow!

Huo Yan was overjoyed and almost laughed out loud, "Yes, yes! I'll go myself!"

Sang Hongyang was so excited that he rubbed his hands and paced around the charcoal basin, "Great, great! Zhang Tingwei is indeed decisive and efficient! I will order them all right away..."

Huo Yan was about to open his mouth to finalize the details when Zhang Tang raised his hand to stop him. A rare look of solemnity crossed the face of this court official, known for his coldness and sternness.

He solemnly took out another silk scroll sealed with wax, which looked extremely heavy, from his arms and handed it to Huo Yan with both hands.

"Tai, Ayan, please take a look at this case."

Zhang Tang lowered his voice.

Huo Yan, bewildered, took the file with a puzzled look. Sang Hongyang also suppressed his smile and waved his hand to the officials waiting to "scratch the land" to retreat to the outer room to warm themselves by the fire.

Huo Yan carefully scraped away the sealing wax with a knife, untied the silk rope, and unfolded the silk scroll. After reading only the first few lines, his face turned as pale as paper. The knuckles of his fingers holding the edge of the scroll turned white from the force. He stood there frozen as if struck by lightning.

The light of the charcoal fire danced on his suddenly pale face.

This is the final trial file of the military rations corruption case handled by Zhang Tang.

On the silk book, the ink is dark and each word is as sharp as a knife, as if carrying the smell of blood.

After days of torture, Jingchen obtained confessions from twenty-eight warehouse officials and grain transporters involved. While some of the fodder they withheld and resold was pocketed, a significant portion was circulated through Tian Lu, a steward in the residence of Gongsun Jingsheng, a subordinate of the Imperial Household Department, who used his position as the Imperial Household Department's official. It has been determined that during the previous year's major military campaign, Gongsun Jingsheng exploited his position as the director of military supply transportation to collude with military warehouse officials, embezzling high-quality grain from official warehouses and replacing it with moldy grain and sand and gravel. He also withheld fine fodder for war horses, causing them to weaken and die, profiting from the proceeds in a staggeringly large sum.

Zhang Tang's voice was like a piece of cold iron, hitting the silent and warm office.

"Ah Yan, the chain of evidence has been initially closed. We have witnesses and some of the recovered stolen grain and land and personal accounts. Your cousin Gongsun Jingsheng is inextricably linked."

The crackling of the charcoal fire was particularly harsh.

"Right now, the Supreme Court can issue a warrant to summon him for questioning." Zhang Tang changed the subject. "However... from what I've seen, this case is meticulously executed, and the financial flows are complex and intricate. It's definitely not something Gongsun Jingsheng can handle alone. I'm afraid there's someone behind the scenes with considerable power, perhaps even..."

He paused meaningfully, then lowered his voice, "It directly points to certain noble families in the court, or perhaps they have connections with certain forces within the Wei family."

He took a step forward and gently patted Huo Yan's stiff shoulder, his gesture carrying the weight and protectiveness of an elder. "You need to prepare early."

Every word on the dossier burned Huo Yan's heart like a red-hot iron. Rage instantly overwhelmed his rationality, and he could almost hear the grinding of his teeth!

Gongsun Jingsheng! That arrogant dandy who relied on the power of the Wei family! How dare he! How dare he lay his hands on the soldiers' life-saving rations!

Those civilians who died during transportation due to moldy grain and sand, and those war horses who were so hungry that they were skin and bones and died tragically on the battlefield because they were unable to charge.

Countless souls of those who died in vain seemed to be wailing in Huo Yan's ears! A violent murderous intent rushed straight to his head. He wished he could rush into Gongsun Mansion with a knife and chop that bastard into pieces!

He gripped the silk book between his fingers so tightly that he almost tore it apart.

"I... understand." Huo Yan's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with a barely perceptible tremor. He forced himself to calm down and suppress the murderous aura that was boiling over. "Uncle Zhang, just handle this impartially. Please issue a subpoena immediately and bring him to trial according to the law! Regardless of whether there is another mastermind behind him, based on the crimes he committed alone, he should pay for the lives of those who died unjustly!"

He spoke with absolute certainty, but his eyes closed in pain. He thought of Aunt Wei Junru, the elder who had always been kind and gentle to him and Qubing. If she knew about this...

"Huo Yan... and even the Wei Mansion will not say another word!"

His eyes were stern and full of pain.

Among all the ministers in the court, Marquis Huo was the youngest.

Zhang Tang looked deeply into Huo Yan's young face, the rare solemnity in his eyes finally fading into a long sigh. "Ah Yan, do you know why I specifically handed this file to you today, and why I asked you to prepare in advance?"

Huo Yan raised his eyes, revealing genuine confusion and lingering anger.

"The Wei family," Zhang Tang's voice dropped even lower, barely a whisper. Even in this warm office, a chill ran through one's bones. "They've long been a broken bond. Like a towering tree, yet within it grows worms. The General is a kindhearted man, deeply sentimental. If he knew this matter involved a loved one, he'd probably be filled with pity, he'd hesitate to make a decision, and end up suffering the consequences. The General of the Cavalry is a fiery man, and he can't tolerate any injustice. If he were to handle it, he'd be furious, implicating too many people, destroying both the good and the bad, and damaging the Wei family's vitality. And you..." Zhang Tang's gaze fell on Huo Yan's face with a complex expression. "Your character is the same as the General of the Cavalry, and you're easily broken. I'm giving you this file today, not to urge you, but as a reminder. I only hope that when the time comes, you'll temper yourself a little, consider your blood ties, and the greater good of the Wei and Huo families. Don't... don't let a momentary rage, a desire to settle scores, create an irreconcilable rift between you and your loved ones."

The worry in the words was heavy.

Huo Yan became a Shizhong at a young age. Unlike his elder brother who was stationed at Qimen Army, he often walked around with these inner court officials. It is no exaggeration to say that they watched him grow up little by little.

He is the youngest among all the ministers in the court, so how could we bear to see him suffer?

That’s all I can say. There’s nothing more I can do.

Sang Hongyang sighed and spoke in a rare gentle tone, "Zhang Tingwei is absolutely right. Ah Yan, this case involves too many serious implications; it's no longer a simple case of corruption. You must proceed with extreme caution... Fortunately, this matter is not your responsibility now. You can simply report for illness."

Huo Yan was stunned. He never expected that Zhang Tang would come to him so anxiously for this.

It was not to urge Gao Minling to carry out the property confiscation operation, but to tell him that the Wei family had a stain and to give him a reminder with the concern of an elder.

This deep feeling of protection weighed heavily on him, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, only to feel his throat dry and tight, a complex swirl of emotions in his chest—rage, murderous intent, pain, and a touch of warmth from being protected.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and his gaze calmed down again. He carefully rolled up the silk scroll that had caused such a stir in the Wei family and returned it to Zhang Tang. "Uncle, I am deeply grateful for your hard work. I will repay you tomorrow."

He glanced at Sang Hongyang and Zhang Tang and smiled playfully, "But let's deal with the urgent matter first. Confiscating their property is the most important thing."

Zhang Tang was stunned at first as he watched Huo Yan's state change instantly, then he burst into a deep but hearty laugh, which echoed in the warm office. "I regret that he is not my son."

He waved his hand, and the court official robes fluttered in the light of the charcoal fire. "Let's go, Marquis Tai'an."

Huo Yan followed Zhao Guo lightly, with the corners of his robes fluttering, as if wrapped in a murderous gust of wind and snow, as he walked towards the door.

The howling sound of wind and snow rushed in, but was blocked by Sang Hongyang with a thick door curtain.

Sang Hongyang continued to write the budget, but he was worried.

He always felt that something else was happening.

The wind and snow were howling, and inside and outside Chang'an City, deep in the alleys, the red doors of the mansions were closed tightly.

In this snowy and windy winter, the ones who feel the biting cold and despair the most are not the common people, but the powerful and wealthy families who have deep roots and occupy the fertile land of Guanzhong.

The Gao Min Order, jointly promoted by Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang and spearheaded by Zhang Tang, was like a guillotine hanging over their heads that finally fell, chopping off the first head in this windy and snowy season.

The notices of the Min Ling had already been posted all over the gates of various pavilions, markets and neighborhoods. The black characters and red seals were particularly glaring in the wind and snow.

Holding a red arrow issued by the Imperial Court, the Gao Min Commandant led a group of wolf-like, ferocious, and cold-eyed emissaries in embroidered robes. Like hawks scenting blood, they pounced on the counties of Guanzhong. Their horses' hooves crushed the snow, splashing up mud. Their goal was crystal clear.

Those powerful people who had jumped the highest, shouted the loudest, and worked the hardest to obstruct the salt and iron government had already been recorded in the little notebooks in Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang's hearts!

"Anyone who conceals property or makes a false declaration will have all their property confiscated once it is reported and verified, and half will be given as a reward to the informant!"

This decree is comparable to the strongest poison, instantly igniting the most despicable greed and violence deep in human nature.

Tenants who once groveled at the feet of the powerful, suffering endless bullying. Neighbors whose land was seized, their families torn apart, their families destroyed. Even the marginalized and resentful sons of the powerful families, now transformed into the most dangerous informants.

A single complaint, a few secret land deeds, or copied account books could bring immense wealth and a chance to change one's fate. In the snowy wind, the path leading to the Supreme Court and the temporary office of the Imperial Guards was dotted with figures hurrying by, their eyes flickering.

In a matter of a dozen days, the Sanyuan Li family, the Li family of Liyang, the branch of the Tian family, the Zhou family of Du County, and other powerful families that had been entrenched in the area for many years were uprooted.

The Gao Min Captain, accompanied by the embroidered messengers and the elite officials sent by Huo Yan, rushed like a tide into the once heavily guarded and magnificent manors. Heavy copper-clad doors were smashed open, exquisite lacquer screens were toppled, and treasures hidden in cellars and even between walls were searched out one by one.

In the magnificent hall, the once domineering family heads looked pale.

Li Zhi, the largest landowner in Sanyuan County, watched helplessly as the embroidered messengers violently broke down the door of his vaunted nanmu warehouse and, one by one, counted, registered, and sealed his life's worth of gold, silver, jewelry, silks, and even the land deeds and commercial certificates hidden in a secret room between the walls. He tried to lunge forward, thrusting a heavy bag of gold cakes at the leading captain, and pleaded in a trembling voice, "Sir! Please have mercy! These... these are my filial tribute to you! I only ask that my Li family have a chance to survive! The snow is so heavy, please give us a chance!"

The captain just smiled coldly, looked at him as if he were a dead object, and pushed him away.

A clerk next to him unfolded a long indictment in public and read aloud the evidence of Li Zhi's crimes, including concealing thousands of acres of land, running more than ten businesses, lending money and exploiting hundreds of people to death.

The onlookers, initially frightened, gradually burst into long-suppressed cries.

In the end, there was a mixture of curses and cheers.

As Li Zhi listened to the charges, looked at the desperate eyes of his clansmen and the hateful gazes of his neighbors, his last bit of strength was drained away.

That night, this once powerful and powerful man ended his sinful life with a white silk in the cold, empty and sealed main house.

Those wealthy families panicked and began frantically transferring their wealth, selling off prime land and shops at bargain prices. Huo Yan, using his keen sense of smell, quietly snatched up many of these gains under the guise of normal transactions. Then, the embroidered envoy's order for confiscation followed like a leech.

These transferred properties eventually flowed into the pockets of the state treasury and the imperial treasury. This sharp knife, called "Gao Min," cut through the rotten flesh with swiftness and ferocity! Wherever the blade pointed, the powerful and influential people in Guanzhong trembled in fear.

In a very short period of time, the Gao Min Order, like the most ferocious tsunami, injected an astonishing amount of wealth into the almost dry treasury.

The treasurers of the Grand Minister of Agriculture finally showed a long-lost smile on their faces.

The confiscated copper coins piled up like a mountain, their golden hue reflecting the surprised faces of the storekeepers. Years had passed since Huo Yan's last appointment as wine steward, and the granary was once again filled with grain. The heavy grain, emitting the fragrance of new harvest, was enough to help with the potential lean season next year.

Exquisite lacquerware, jadeware, and mountains of silk and brocade were continuously transported into the warehouses of the Shaofu and the Neiku. Even the guards couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Sang Hongyang stood in front of the warehouse of the Grand Minister of Agriculture's Mansion, which was almost overflowing with money and grain. The wrinkles on his face relaxed, and then he and Huo Yan put their hands on their hips and laughed.

"Ayan! We are rich again, hahahaha, this is Guanzhong!"

Huo Yan glanced at the overflowing warehouses and nodded at Sang Hongyang. "We have the money, so let's cut taxes. The people are suffering from the cold. Even though the snow has stopped, their frostbite hasn't healed yet."

The smile on Sang Hongyang's face froze, and then he shook his head helplessly, muttering bitterly, "The snow has stopped, and not many wheat seedlings in the field have frozen to death... Alas."

However, looking at the unprecedentedly full treasury, his deep-rooted "fear of not having enough money" was indeed alleviated a lot. In addition, Emperor Liu Che also generously allocated a part of the money and grain from the treasury to show his support. In the end, he had to hold his nose and, under Huo Yan's "hanging eyes", signed the document to reduce taxes in the disaster-stricken counties.

The cinnabar seals fell heavily, and people in many places had a prosperous year.

Of course, this huge wealth comes at a price.

The loss of fortunes and the destruction of families and families by dozens of powerful families in Guanzhong brought a wave of intense shock and panic to the upper echelons of society. However, the turmoil at the top had no bearing on the lower classes. Through the influence of Han youth, opera, and the influence of the drinking council, the common people knew who was good, and the soldiers knew who to pledge allegiance to, which was enough to ensure Huo Yan and his men's invincibility.

Just a little commotion.

At the same time, under the solid foundation laid by Huo Yan in Jiaodong County in the early days and Sang Hongyang's swift and decisive iron-fisted approach, the implementation of the state-run salt and iron industry is taking root and spreading across the empire at an unprecedented speed and strength, showing vigorous vitality.

The government-run salt fields, with the rapid increase in production and stable quality brought about by the "beach drying method", are continuously transporting the snow-white and crystal-clear sea salt to the inland along the dredged river channels and newly built rammed earth roads through an endless stream of canal boats and ox carts.

This was especially true in Guanzhong, where salt was in short supply. While the price of official salt remained high, it was lower than that of private salt, and the supply was plentiful and of consistent quality. Furthermore, the salt, as clear as snow, frightened former private salt dealers, forcing them to disappear. The life of the cooks in coastal counties, who were incorporated into the official system and received monthly wages and rations, also became relatively stable.

Salt profits are rapidly becoming the most stable and fastest-growing pillar of the national treasury!

Sang Hongyang looked at the money collected from the salt tax, his face turned into a big chrysanthemum smile, and he pulled Huo Yan to drink some wine.

Huo Yan drank with him, and the two of them clinked glasses with smiles on their faces.

Oh, the good days are coming.

Iron ore mining and smelting saw efficiency and output rise steadily thanks to the improved blast equipment and water drainage provided by Huo Yan's workshop. Furnaces burned day and night at state-run iron mines across the country, sending a steady stream of iron to state-run workshops. Although Sang Hongyang still complained about Huo Yan's "diversion" of a considerable amount of fine iron to craft farm tools like curved plows and harrow carts, which he considered a "waste" that didn't directly generate tax revenue, he could only turn a blind eye to the projected increases in grain production reported by various regions following the promotion of agricultural tools, as well as the Huo Yan workshop's irreplaceable role in developing stronger ring-handled swords and more sophisticated crossbow mechanisms. "Iron officials" were established across the country like mushrooms after a rain in major mining areas, and the iron officials dispatched by the Ministry of Agriculture began to fulfill their duties, firmly controlling this vital artery of national economy and people's livelihood. Official prices for ironware also stabilized.

Huo Yan's agricultural book has been written in a very good style.

The new salt and iron policy, which was originally driven by lack of money, has now reversed after the transfusion of the Gao Min Order and the winter rectification. It is like a giant wheel with a fully wound spring, and has begun to push the empire forward.

After a winter day, it is really the height of the season.

The warm sun struggled to penetrate the clouds, melting the last bit of snow on the Weiyang Palace Square, revealing the moist bluestone slabs, announcing the arrival of spring.

Inside the Xuanshi Hall, all officials stood in awe, kneeling according to rank on the polished lacquered floor. The hall's tall beams and pillars were painted vermilion, the caisson ceilings were painted with auspicious clouds and auspicious beasts, and a huge bronze crane incense burner belched out curls of green smoke. Everything was just as it had been before.

Huo Yanqing had lost some weight and was wearing a dark-colored court robe, a gold belt and jade hook around his waist, with a smile on his lips.

It can be seen that I am in a really good mood today.

Huo Qubing also came to court today. The weather had warmed up, and Huo Yan finally agreed to let him go out.

He did not wear only single clothes as usual, but dressed in a thick crimson-purple court robe, with a light brocade robe on the outside. He knelt at the front of the line of military generals, side by side with his uncle, General Wei Qing.

The Grand Marshal and General Huoqi, who has not been seen for a long time, is still as elegant as before, and his solemn and majestic aura from being in a high position for a long time is still so great that people dare not look at him directly, like a dormant tiger.

However, at this moment, he took advantage of the moment when Huo Yan was talking in a low voice with Sang Hongyang in the back and had no time to pay attention to other things, and very naturally put his hand into the sleeve of his uncle Wei Qing's large and comfortable black brocade robe.

Wei Qing sat upright, his eyes fixed, as if completely absorbed in the music played in the hall. Yet, a barely perceptible smile rose at the corner of his mouth. He allowed his nephew's cool hand to grope inside, then thrust a small bag of fine gauze into Huo Qubing's hand. A faint smile played on Huo Qubing's lips, and he quickly and silently pulled out the small bag of raisins, hiding it in his wide sleeve.

He very naturally took a small bag of raisins from Wei Qing's wide sleeves, threw them into his mouth, and turned his head to complain to Wei Qing in a low voice. His voice was as low as a mosquito, and only Wei Qing could hear it. It was like two big cats huddled together to share a snack and whisper to each other.

"Uncle, you don't know," Huo Qubing said in a low voice, twisting a raisin between his fingers, his mouth full of complaints, "Ayan is now stricter with me than with Xian'er! The medicinal food is so bitter that my tongue is numb. The vegetables are also bland. I've been bored in the mansion for a whole winter. I'm tired of reading those storybooks. I can only entertain the children and Ayan. I'm so bored!"

He curled his lips and ate another raisin.

Wei Qing maintained his perfect listening posture, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as if he were contemplating the official's report before the palace. However, his body had tilted slightly, almost imperceptibly, towards Huo Qubing, and the wide sleeves of his robe almost completely obscured the half of their bodies that were touching, making them look unfamiliar from the front.

Wei Qing glanced at him helplessly, lowered his voice as well, and smiled bitterly with sympathy.

"Do you think your uncle has it easy? The medicinal food Ah Yan sent is just as much as yours! Your aunt made me drink it twice a day, and the taste... Ah Yan's cooking is getting worse and worse." He paused, his tone carrying the vicissitudes of life. "Stop complaining. Ah Yan is doing this for your own good. Be careful if His Majesty hears you, or he'll start nagging you for not appreciating things."

He nodded towards the throne, a movement so slight that it was almost imperceptible.

Huo Qubing's beautiful almond-shaped eyes, inherited from his family's defense, widened, vividly expressing the liveliness beneath his expressionless face in the blind spot of the ministers' gazes. "Your Majesty? What does it have to do with him? Ah Yan didn't force him to drink the medicine soup."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes again, his movements were as fast as lightning, and to others it might have just been a blink.

Wei Qing, a shrewd fellow, instantly threw all caution to the wind when facing his closest nephew. He subconsciously chimed in, his voice low but tinged with the joy of sharing a secret, "Your Majesty has been feeling unwell recently, dizzy and weak. Ah Yan only sent some common ginseng and antler supplements, without even a prescription, let alone a custom-made medicated diet. Your Majesty feels..." Wei Qing drawled meaningfully, "a bit sour."

"cut!"

Huo Qubing couldn't help but speak a little louder. The sound was filled with disdain and a sneer of "So that's it", like a small stone thrown into the calm water.

Several officials in the front row seemed to notice something and tilted their heads in confusion.

Huo Qubing immediately covered his mouth with his sleeve and pretended to cough twice, his shoulders shaking suspiciously, obviously trying hard to suppress laughter. He leaned close to Wei Qing's ear and complained through gritted teeth.

"Isn't this insane? Why wouldn't he tell Ah Yan if he felt uncomfortable? Ah Yan isn't a worm in his stomach! As the emperor, he needs others to guess whether he wants to eat medicinal food?"

He snorted again, full of youthful contempt.

Wei Qing then realized he had let the cat out of the bag again. He quickly reached out and patted Huo Qubing's mouth with a quick and precise tap. His movements were as natural as brushing dust off him. His eyes held a warning and a mixture of amusement and laughter. "Be careful with your words, child! His Majesty has to save face too. He's actually feeling uncomfortable and hasn't been able to bring himself to speak frankly."

He shook his head helplessly, with an expression of "you know what I mean".

Huo Qubing was amused by his uncle's "there is no silver here" explanation and wanted to laugh even more. After finally suppressing his laughter, he squeezed closer to Wei Qing, almost sticking to his uncle, and asked in a whisper: "Uncle, how do you know this? Did His Majesty complain to you?"

Wei Qing was so pestered by him that he couldn't help laughing at his nephew's bright eyes full of curiosity. He also said in a low voice with a little pride, "Last time in the palace, you complained to His Majesty that the medicinal food tasted bad, and His Majesty gnashed his teeth."

Wei Qing imitated Liu Che's tone perfectly, even the sourness in his voice. He said, "Your Majesty often gnashes his teeth."

Huo Qubing thought of Huo Yan and said, "Ah Yan is also often angry and gnashing his teeth."

Wei Qing couldn't hold it back any longer, and quickly buried his face in his wide sleeves, his shoulders shaking violently as his laughter was absorbed by the fabric. He struggled to hold back his laughter, tears on the verge of bursting out. Huo Qubing couldn't help but laugh, too. They both managed to hold it back a bit, but couldn't suppress the smiles that formed on their lips.

It’s just fun!

A lengthy debate over the allocation of funds for military farms and water conservancy projects in Hexi has finally come to an end.

Sang Hongyang straightened his clothes, then, his face flushed, stood up and walked to the center of the hall. He cleared his throat and said, "Thanks to your majesty's wisdom and guidance, and the concerted efforts of all the ministers! I, the Minister of Agriculture, Sang Hongyang, report on the first quarter's results of the new state-run salt and iron policy!"

He unfolded a scroll of bamboo slips, and his voice echoed in the empty hall.

"Ten counties, including Jiaodong, Langya, and Kuaiji, have established salt inspectors. Official salt is now available on the market, offering high quality and stable prices. Private salt is almost extinct! In Guanzhong alone, salt profits have increased by more than five times compared to previous years' private salt tax revenue!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "more than five times" and saw with satisfaction that many court officials' eyes lit up.

"Thanks to the effective coordination of the iron officials, the output of refined iron has doubled! Besides prioritizing the Ordnance Department to manufacture powerful bows and crossbows, as well as tough armor and sharp blades, the 30,000 newly manufactured curved plows, harrow carts, and other agricultural tools, overseen by the Grain Search Commander, have all been dispatched to the Shuofang military garrisons and the newly developed areas of the four Hexi prefectures! This is a testament to your majesty's virtue and the achievements of your new policies!"

Behind him, all the officials in the Ministry of Agriculture straightened their backs subconsciously, their faces filled with joy and pride.

Liu Che's lips curled up in a satisfied arc, and his fingers tapped lightly on the jade sceptre. Wei Qing and Huo Qubing also stopped their "secret conversation" and smiled at each other, their eyes full of pride.

My Ah Yan is a great earner!

However, this report was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, instantly stirring up a turbulent undercurrent.

"Your Majesty!" An old but deliberately sad and angry cry suddenly rang out.

An old man with white hair and beard, dressed in the robes of a doctoral scholar, stood up tremblingly and stepped out of the procession under the gaze of a group of powerful officials from Kanto and Kansai. He walked unsteadily to the center of the hall and stood opposite Sang Hongyang, as if representing two completely different forces.

He did not look at Sang Hongyang, but faced the throne directly, "Your Majesty! This old minister kowtows with tears and blood, and risks his life to report this! What Sang Hongyang, Zhang Tang, and Huo Yan did is called the New Deal, but in reality they are competing with the people for profit, bringing disaster to the country and the people!" He did not dare to point at Huo Yan under Huo Qubing's nose, but only at Sang Hongyang, his saliva flying in the beam of light coming through the high window, "Salt and iron are the natural benefits of mountains and lakes, and the livelihoods of the people! This is a gift from heaven to the people, not the private property of the court! Now an official is appointed to monopolize it and take the profits alone. This is cutting off the livelihoods of the people and destroying their livelihoods! Forcing the good people to have no salt to eat and no utensils to use, and become bandits! If this is not extortion, then what is extortion!"

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his body trembling slightly. He turned towards Huo Yan's direction. Although he didn't dare point directly, his finger was clearly on the scale. "Furthermore, they condoned cruel officials like Zhang Tang. Under the pretext of implementing new policies, they fabricated charges, framed the virtuous, and slaughtered local leaders! Countless families of good character have suffered, their centuries-long reputations destroyed in an instant! Such harsh policies are more ferocious than tigers and wolves! If this continues, the people will lose their hearts, and the country will no longer be a nation! Your Majesty! This is not the way of a sage king, but the actions of Jie and Zhou! Please, Your Majesty, take a clear look at this, abolish this harsh policy, and return benefits to the people!"

He shouted the last sentence almost at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his face. He fell to his knees with a thud, hitting the ground with his head!

"I second this motion!"

"Your Majesty, please abolish this tyrannical government!"

"The salt and iron monopoly has caused great harm to the people!"

Behind Dr. Zhou, a group of officials who came from powerful families or had interests with powerful families seemed to have received a signal. They all came out and knelt down, quoting scriptures and classics, and denounced the salt and iron government for "abandoning the benevolent government and the kingly way", "being mean and ungrateful", and "shaking the foundation of the country".

For a time, the voices of "competing with the people for profit" and "bringing disaster to the country and the people" were rampant. Although the spearhead was mainly directed at Sang Hongyang, every word was also directed at Huo Yan! The entire Xuanshi Hall was like a boiling oil pan, filled with the meaning of moral condemnation.

Huo Qubing frowned, feeling his legs were very itchy.

Damn it, who gave them the guts to scold his brother!

But before he could move, Huo Yan stopped the itching in his legs.

Huo Yan stood there, looking at the unfamiliar old face, tears streaming down his face and quoting from classics. His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of genuine confusion in his eyes. He searched his memory for the name that matched this face. Was it Zhou? Wang? Li? Those old faces who opposed the new policies and spoke of morality and justice all looked the same to him, as if they were cast from the same mold.

[Ah Yan, who is this old man? Hang him!]

[Fuck you! I'm going to kill all eighteen generations of his ancestors!]

[Huh? Ah Yan, that expression... could it be that you're actually face-blind?]

[Haha, even the invincible Huo Taian has his weaknesses!]

[Yan Bao’s confused look is so cute! I want to rub it!]

Huo Yan and Liu Che frowned almost simultaneously, gnashing their teeth slightly; even the curve of their mouth corners was surprisingly similar!

A nameless anger rose in Huo Yan's chest.

Don't ask me!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the subtle embarrassment and irritation caused by his "face blindness" and the anger at being accused without reason.

Huo Yanjing stood at the bottom of the stairs, his dark court robes accentuating his handsome demeanor. His gaze slowly swept across the faces of the indignant crowd, kneeling and weeping in protest. Wherever his gaze reached, the clamor of voices subsided a fraction. He tilted his head and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, with a hint of resignation, asked Sang Hongyang beside him, "Foster father, what is the name of that... passionate, tearful doctor?"

He felt that he had to know who was being scolded so that he could retaliate accurately.

Sang Hongyang was stunned for a moment, then a wicked smile, one that threatened to unleash chaos, appeared on his face. He turned directly to the prostrate Dr. Zhou, and spoke in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone in the front row, including Liu Che, to hear clearly, full of sarcasm.

"Hey! Old wretch! Marquis Tai'an is asking you—" He deliberately drew out his tone, pointing his finger at Dr. Zhou, "What's your name? Tell me your name, so Captain Huo knows which virtuous man is here today to criticize the current problems and plead for the people."

After a brief, suffocating silence.

Huo Qubing was the first one who couldn't help laughing out loud.

His smile was like a firecracker. The military commanders and pragmatic officials who were already dissatisfied with the Confucian scholars' endless chatter and their claim to the moral high ground suddenly burst into laughter! The laughter echoed in the solemn Xuanshi Hall, filled with a happy and sarcastic atmosphere! Even Liu Che was delighted.

Only Wei Qing held his forehead with one hand and reached out with the other hand like lightning, accurately covering the mouth of his nephew who was still trying to continue laughing. With the other hand, he quietly twisted Huo Qubing's waist, signaling him to restrain himself.

General Wei sighed inwardly: "Every day, these two little ancestors' words are like daggers with poison! One is lighting the fire, the other is fanning the flames! They think this court is not lively enough."

Dr. Zhou was so furious at this sudden, almost humiliating questioning and the laughter that filled the room that he trembled all over, his face flushed red as a pig's liver! He suddenly raised his head and pointed at Huo Yan, losing even the slightest bit of decency as he cursed, his voice piercing and piercing, "You little brat! How dare you insult my reputation like this! You're a scoundrel born of a mother but not raised by a father! You..."

"shut up!"

A loud shout, like a thunderclap, instantly brought silence to the hall. Even Dr. Zhou was so frightened by the aura that he choked on the next words.

Huo Qubing stepped out of the train with a gloomy expression.

Dr. Zhou's face turned pale.

Huo Qubing sneered and kicked the man hard to the ground.

Dr. Zhou was about to speak when Huo Yan came up and kicked him, then covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

He was afraid that his brother would step on someone to death.

Huo Qubing looked at him expressionlessly, then moved his legs and walked back as noble and cool as a big cat.

Huo Yan found it amusing. He smiled, but his eyes were cold and pointed directly at Dr. Zhou. His voice was gentle, "I don't know your name. It's my fault. I apologize to you, Doctor!"

He started with courtesy and then turned the tables, his tone sharp, "But one thing is one thing. Now that I've learned my lesson, I hope I can be more virtuous."

His smile was gentle, "After all, Chang'an is big, and it's not easy to live here."

Chang'an is very big, be careful.

Dr. Zhou was so frightened by them that he fainted.

Huo Yan praised and asked someone to lift him up.

Then start spraying.

The old man was filled with rage, and he pointed his sword at the court officials who were jumping for joy.

"Who exactly are you referring to when you say people?!"

He took a step forward, his presence imposing.

"It's the peasants from Guizhou who work year-round, their faces to the earth and their backs to the sky, their sweat dripping down their cheeks. Yet, because of the high price of salt, they don't taste salt for months, their bodies swell up, and they work themselves to death!"

"I suppose it's the common people who, because of the tycoons' hoarding and the sky-high price of ironware, are forced to use wood and stone as plows, sweating and blood to barely get a meal, selling their children and daughters, and living in poverty!"

"Neither. The butt determines the head. The people you're talking about are those tycoons and wealthy businessmen with fields stretching across the country, servants swarming like clouds, and who own mountains of gold and silver, monopolize the salt and iron industries for exorbitant profits, suck the blood and sweat of the people, and become bloated and fat, and who disregard the laws of the country!"

He didn't give the other party any chance to breathe and argue, and his words were as fast as a machine gun, pressing forward step by step.

"Your stance determines your words! Which side do you sit on?! I've investigated every single one of the virtuous people you claim were framed and slaughtered. I guarantee with my own life that every single one of them was a tyrant, evil gentry, or local bully who colluded with illegal salt dealers, hoarded goods, exploited the people, violently obstructed the court's new policies, and even had the lives of tenants on their hands!"

"Not to mention the actions of the officials, according to the Han Dynasty Law on Theft and the Salt and Iron Monopoly Order, the punishment is clear and just, so how can there be a massacre?"

His voice changed, and he said slowly, "Or maybe your butt is just crooked. If you don't side with His Majesty, then why should I talk to you? People with different ideals cannot work together."

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and turned to Liu Che, "Your Majesty! Salt and iron are the lifeblood of our nation, the foundation of our state! If private gain is allowed unchecked, the rich will get richer, the poor will be left without support, national funds will be scarce, and border defenses will be depleted! Now that we have taken it back into the hands of the government, it is not to compete with the people for profit, but to stem the greed of the powerful, replenish the nation's granaries, and benefit the people of the world! May I ask, are those who are blocking the new policy the emperor's ministers?"

"I dare to ask, are those who obstruct the new policies, confuse the public, and act as accomplices to the evildoers worthy of being called ministers of the Son of Heaven? Are they worthy of standing in this Xuanshi Hall?"

The final word! Every word is heartbreaking!

Sang Hongyang's face was broken from laughing.

Liu Che's face was calm, but his eyes gleamed. He looked at the Confucian scholars and officials below him who were quoting scriptures and representing the interests of local tyrants, and then looked at Wei Qing.

Wei Qing covered Huo Qubing's restless mouth.

Marquis Tai'an talks a lot and is very harsh, but at least he is reasonable.

Guanjun Hou speaks little but is very sharp-tongued. He is unreasonable and he will hit you right in the heart.

Even the emperor could win the argument, and Wei Qing was afraid that this disciple of Fu Sheng would be angry to death.

"Sang Hongyang's report on the benefits of salt and iron has enriched the national treasury and alleviated my urgent needs. This proves that the benefits of the new policies lie in the foundation. Implementing the new policies will inevitably touch upon long-standing problems. However, those who benefit the country and the people should be carried out, no matter how difficult it is! Anyone who discusses the new policies recklessly and confuses the public will be punished for undermining state affairs." Seeing that Huo Qubing was silenced, Liu Che's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty. "Minister Zhou and others are also working for the country. However, this proposal should not be discussed further."

The opponents, as though their spines had been torn out, their faces ashen and limp. Amidst gazes of ridicule, indifference, and support from the entire hall, they stumbled, supporting each other, and retreated in a dismal state. In the court, the new policy faction was in high spirits, and Sang Hongyang stroked his beard, his expression of triumph evident in his words.

Huo Yan retreated to his seat expressionlessly, glared at Sang Hongyang who was being complacent next to him, and conveyed the message of "you wait for the reckoning later" with his eyes.

As soon as he knelt down, he heard Huo Qubing's voice coming from beside him, which was clear but a little careless, but loud enough for everyone to hear. He had broken free from his uncle's hand at some point and was slowly wiping the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Your Majesty, Sang Hongyang provoked a quarrel without cause and openly called his colleagues "old men" in the court. This is disrespectful and he should be punished."

This is extremely arrogant and unreasonable.

It was obviously he who laughed first, Sang Hongyang just took over Huo Yan's remarks out of sarcasm.

But these words coming from the Champion Marquis, coupled with his matter-of-fact expression, made the entire court think, well, that makes perfect sense! This is the Champion Marquis' style! No reasoning, only relationships!

Huo Yan couldn't help but lower his head with a smile on his face.

Liu Che looked at his own protective Qu Bing, a smile flashing in his eyes, and said politely, "Grand Marshal Huqi General is right. Sang Hongyang behaved inappropriately in front of the palace and will be fined three months' salary as a warning to others."

He was mainly trying to smooth things over so as not to upset Huo Qubing. The smug look on Sang Hongyang's face froze in an instant, and he turned into someone he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

After that day, Huo Yan lived a peaceful life for a long time, and then he received an order from Liu Che. He smiled, put on his purse, and went to the greenhouse hall.

The Greenhouse Palace deep in the Weiyang Palace is filled with warmth, isolating itself from the spring chill from the outside world.

Here, the expensive frankincense from the outside world could only be used to fumigate the room, its smoke curling between the carved beams and painted buildings. On the golden nanmu imperial couch, covered with thick mink fur, Liu Che half-reclined, covered by a brocade quilt. The Imperial Court Judge Zhang Tang stood solemnly beside him, like a cold stone pillar within the hall, holding in his hands a silk scroll sealed with wax that seemed incredibly heavy. The palace attendants held their breath and bowed their heads, the atmosphere so solemn that it seemed as if water could be wrung out of it.

"Ah Yan, come closer." Liu Che's voice, with a barely perceptible hoarseness, broke the silence. He gestured for Huo Yan to approach the imperial couch.

Huo Yan followed his instructions and took a few steps forward, stopping three feet from the imperial couch, the hem of his crimson robe motionless. The Minister of the Court usually stood here.

Liu Che didn't let him come any further, and raised his chin slightly. Zhang Tang understood and stepped forward, presenting the file to Huo Yan with both hands. His voice was calm, but every word was weighty. "Marquis Tai'an, the case of embezzlement of military rations, handled by the Supreme Court, has lasted for several months and has been thoroughly investigated and tortured. Now the case has been investigated."

He paused, his eyes flickering. "All clues, confessions, and physical evidence point to one man—Gongsun Jingsheng, an official under the Imperial Household Department. He exploited his position to manipulate the transportation of grain and fodder, replacing good grain with moldy grain and sand and gravel, and withholding fine fodder for war horses. The amount was enormous, the circumstances were egregious, and the evidence is irrefutable. This is the final verdict file, please review it, Your Majesty."

He pronounced the four words "Gongsun Jingsheng" very clearly.

Huo Yan's heart sank, as if he had fallen into an icy cave. He didn't dare look at Liu Che and ask, so he could only take the scroll that felt like a thousand pounds. He carefully scraped away the wax with a knife, untied the silk cord, and slowly unfolded it. On the scroll was Zhang Tang's familiar, hard, sharp handwriting, as if carved by a knife. It listed Gongsun Jingsheng's heinous crimes one by one.

How to collude with the specific names of warehouse clerks to replace 30% of good grain with moldy grain at a certain transfer node.

How he instigated his confidants to withhold horse feed at a certain horse farm, causing the death of many good horses.

How to sell the stolen goods through Tian Lu, how much profit can be made, and where does the stolen money go.

There was even a blood letter written by a coerced minor official, accusing him of threatening his family.

Every single case has irrefutable evidence!

This one is even more detailed than what Huo Yan saw.

Every word was like a red-hot iron, burning Huo Yan's heart.

Countless souls of those who died in vain seemed to be wailing in Huo Yan's ears! A violent murderous intent rushed straight to his head. He clenched his hands into fists in his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Liu Che's gaze remained fixed on Huo Yan's face, observing every subtle shift in his expression. Watching Huo Yan's initial fury fade into a deep, painful coldness, he understood. He remembered the glaring white at the gate of the Huo residence, the wound on Huo Qubing's back, the deep pain in Wei Qing's eyes...

A huge sense of guilt wrapped around his heart like poison ivy. He needed to do something to make amends, to redeem himself, even if it was just a drop in the bucket, even if... it was also driven by the emperor's calculations.

"This case..." Liu Che spoke slowly, his voice slightly hoarse with deliberate slowing, breaking the murderous intent surging in Huo Yan's heart, "It involves the palace stewards and the important military supply base. It is of great importance and has far-reaching implications. Although the Supreme Court has the power to inspect, but..." His eyes swept over Zhang Tang, who stood solemnly with his hands hanging down and an expressionless face, and finally fixed on Huo Yan's almond-shaped eyes. Every word he spoke was clear and distinct.

"Propagate my decree: The case of embezzlement of military rations is to be transferred to the Grain Search Commandant Huo Yan, who will jointly investigate with the Court Judge Zhang Tang! We must get to the bottom of this matter and punish the perpetrators severely, upholding the laws of the land and serving as a warning to others!"

As soon as these words were spoken, you could hear a pin drop in the greenhouse hall! The air seemed to freeze instantly, and even the green smoke from the incense burner stopped for a moment.

Zhang Tang raised his head suddenly, a trace of extreme astonishment and understanding flashed across his eyes.

He quickly lowered his eyes, concealing the turmoil in his heart. His Majesty was... personally handing the blade that would deal with the Wei family's stain to Huo Yan.

Should he thoroughly investigate, exposing the Wei family's flaws to the light of day and eradicating them completely? Or should he consider family ties and find a way to smooth things over, minimizing the impact and preserving the dignity of Wei and Huo? Life and death depend entirely on Huo Yan's whim! What a trust this is! Handing over the right to dispose of this family scandal is a... hot potato! How will he face his family in the future?

Huo Yan felt a chill run from his feet to his head, his hand gripping the file trembling uncontrollably. He almost thought he'd misheard! He was being asked to personally judge and decide Gongsun Jingsheng's life or death? To tear open the festering wounds of the Wei family? How could he face the grief-stricken eyes of his aunt, Wei Junru, who loved him like a son? How could he face the silent disappointment of his uncle, Wei Qing? How could he face... his own attachment to blood ties?

"Your Majesty!" Huo Yan suddenly knelt on one knee, his robe rustling softly as he moved. His voice was filled with unprecedented difficulty and resistance, even a slight tremor that was barely perceptible. "Your Majesty...I cannot obey your command!"

He raised his head and looked straight at Liu Che, his eyes filled with undisguised pain and determination.

"You know, if I were to preside over this case... I would have to execute Gongsun Jingsheng! This beast's crimes are unforgivable, and even a hundred deaths cannot redeem him! However... I don't know how I would face my aunt's grief-stricken face afterwards! Even more so, I don't know how to mend the rift that this incident might cause among the Wei family!"

The warm air in the hall grew heavy.

Liu Che saw the genuine struggle in Huo Yan's eyes, but instead of getting angry, he chuckled softly, a laugh that carried a sophisticated understanding of the world and a subtle hint of fatigue. He stood up and beckoned Huo Yan closer. Huo Yan stood up and walked to the imperial couch, just a step away from Liu Che. Liu Che extended his warm, calloused hand and pressed it firmly against Huo Yan's slightly frail shoulder. The force was heavy, carrying an undeniable weight.

"Ah Yan, you still haven't seen through my intentions." Liu Che's voice was low and powerful, like a whisper, but it clearly penetrated the fog in Huo Yan's heart. It was sharp and almost cold, with an emperor's unique sharpness. "I handed this case over to you, not to let you be the open executioner and bear the infamy of killing your relatives. Instead, I want you to... start from within Wei Huo, to investigate! To judge! To clean up the house!"

His gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it wanted to cut through Huo Yan's heart, reaching its deepest point. "Gongsun Jingsheng, life or death, execution or death from illness? How should the Wei family deal with this matter? Who should be abandoned, who should be saved, how to clear their name, how much benefit should be surrendered, how big a gesture should be made, how to deal with the aftermath, who to appease, who to intimidate... The power is in your hands! I want it."

Liu Che pressed Huo Yan's shoulder firmly, conveying a heavy weight and unquestionable expectation. "A clean Wei Huo who can continue to serve me and this country! Not a Wei Huo who is corrupted by termites and may eventually collapse and bring down you, Qubing, and Zhongqing!"

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes burning, and his voice lowered even more, but it was like thunder exploding in Huo Yan's ears.

"My child, since you and Qubing are determined to unite the Wei and Huo families, sharing honor and disgrace, then today, I will give you this knife to cleanse the family! I will let Zhongqing accompany me on tour and give you this power! Go and chop the Wei family... into what you want! Chop it into a Wei family that is strong and loyal enough for you. I trust you."

Wei Huo has since truly become one, a temptation that is no longer separated from him, and Gongsun Jingsheng, who should have died long ago and is not worth mentioning...

Like a crisscross of ice and fire, it instantly drowned out the last vestiges of struggle within Huo Yan. He closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently. His mind flashed through the gentle yet exhausted face of his uncle Wei Qing, the trusting eyes of his brother Huo Qubing, and the loving smile of his aunt Wei Junru. Finally, his mind settled on the accusations of the unjustly killed civilians and horses in the silk scroll.

When he opened his eyes again, all the pain and hesitation had been replaced by a deep, almost cold determination. There was no more confusion in those gentle almond-shaped eyes.

He slowly bent his knees and knelt before Liu Che again, raising his hands and solemnly placing them over the hand Liu Che had placed on his shoulder, as if accepting a heavy contract. His voice was low and hoarse, but it rang out clearly in the silent greenhouse hall.

"As your majesty wishes."

"As I wish!"

As the words fell, the hall fell into a dead silence. The smoke from the incense burner began to curl upwards again.

Liu Che looked at the young man kneeling in front of him, and a smile flashed in his eyes.

"Ayan, go investigate. I'm keeping this case for you."

【Author’s words】

Today my friend told me that I am very suitable for writing sadistic stories, the kind that uses a blunt knife to grind meat.

He asked me why I had to torture her at the end and said I was annoying.

I really don't know, because my character tells me that this is how it should be.

A Yan was thinking.

If I were writing it, I would definitely want him to give up and put it aside, after all, I am such a fragile and sensitive person.

But A Yan just looked at me, like Xiuying when I wanted to keep Zhang Liang. He also chuckled and said, "Would I be afraid of killing Gongsun Jingsheng?"

This was the second time that a rational guy like him had a violent thought of his own.

The first time was during the time of Ji An, he said he couldn’t do it.

Last time, reason was paramount, this time, emotion is paramount.

My friend asked me if I should look for someone like Ayan. Ayan is so nice, I feel like I will be well protected.

Me: Sure, he's easy to pursue. A childhood sweetheart is fine. He's very loyal to his relationships, not prone to falling in love at first sight or switching sides. He simply likes someone and doesn't mess around. But he'll talk about other things, not just words. You have to coax him and go along with him. If you go along with him, he'll give you everything. But he likes someone who's soft and gentle in normal times, someone he can rely on when things matter. A little bit of craziness is fine, he'll appreciate it. He's a fire sign, after all.

Youyou: Ahhh, I want to buy one.

Me: I suggest you start by curing the disease.

Friends: Can I buy my uncle? The child likes to listen to Liu Zhuzhu's gossip.

Me: Get out of here!